Ice tray



y 1943- c. R. CAR NEY 2,325,226

' ICE TRAY Filed Jan. 16. 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' INVENTOR CZZjZIZEQ/fq.

} ATTORNEY July 27, 19430 2 c. R. CARNEY 1cm TRAY I FiledJan. 16, 1941 2Sheets -Sheet 2 INVENTOR a. a ##MM [7. a

Patented July 27, 1943 oFncs ICE my I Clifl'ord R. Carney, Dearborn.Mich, assig'nor to General Motors Corporation,

corporation of Delaware Detroit, Mich, a

v Application January 16, 1941, S8118]. N0. 374,629

. 11 Claims. (Cl. 621Q8.5)

' tending substantially vertically disposed sepa- This invention relatesto ice trays and more particularly to a novel and improved ice tray gridwhich may be employed to divide the space within a pan into a pluralityof ice block compartments of suitable size for domestic use,

tudinal separator member provided with a plurality of spacedsubstantially verticallydisposed slots adapted to receive a plurality ofvertically disposed transverse separator members which may be movedangularly about a substantially vertical axis to release ice.

Another object is to provide a grid member having interlockedlongitudinal and transversely extending separator members provided withmeans to move said members about horizontal and verticalaxesrespectively to break the bond between frozen material and the walls ofthe grid and pan members.

directed separator members suitably interconnected by improved motiontransmitting means whereby ice blocks may be readily released.

A further object -resides in the provision of an ice tray grid having asingle longitudinal separator member and a plurality of generallyvertically disposed separator members extending transversely to andinterconnected with the Yet a further object resides in the provision ofimproved motion transmitting means between a longitudinal separatormember and a pair of.

oppositely directed longitudinally movable bars whereby the actuatingbars may be moved in longitudinal separator member in such a manner thatthe longitudinal member may be moved angularly from the verticalposition, and the transverse separator members may be moved about asubstantially vertical axis intermediate their ends to efiect therelease of ice.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel motion transmittingmeans between a longitudinal separator member and a plurality oftransversely extending separator members whereby said separator membersmay be moved in an improved manner with reference to each other toefliciently break the frozen bond between ice blocks and the componentportions of said grid member.

A further object resides in the provision of an efllcient ice tray gridwhich may be economically manufactured in large quantities.

Still another object is to provide novel motion transmitting means foractuating interconnected grid members by moving spaced oppositelydirected longitudinally movable actuating bars or members in oppositedirections.

Yet a more detailed object of the invention is to provide noveloppositely directed actuating bars or members to move generallylongitudinally extending separator means from a substantially verticalposition toward an angularly inclined position, and to move generallytransversely exthe grid in the actuated or ice releasing position.

opposite directions to release ice.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings, submitted for purposes of illustration only, andnot intended to define the scope of the invention, reference being hadfor that purpose to the subjoined claims.

In the drawings wherein similar reference characters refer to similarparts throughout the several views:

, Fig. 1 is a perspective view partly in section of an ice tray gridembodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the component parts of the gridstructure shown in separated relationship.

Fig. 41s a plan view Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially onthe line 5-5 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Fig. 6 is a plan view similar to Fig. 4 showing Fig. 7 is a longitudinalsectional view similar to Fig. 2. taken substantially on the line ofFig. 6; looking in the direction of the arrows,

of the grid structure illus- ,trated in Fig. l in the'normal or icefreezing .position.

showing the grid in the actuated or ice releasing position.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, since the inventtion is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to beunderstood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is forthe purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intendedto limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of theprior art.

Referring now to the drawings, it will be observed that an ice tray griddesignated as a whole by the reference character 2 is adapted to bepositioned in a pan 4 to divide the space within the pan into aplurality of ice block compartments 8 to form ice blocks of suitablesize for domestic use.

The grid 2 preferably comprises a generally longitudinally extendingseparator member 8 and a plurality of generally transversely extendingseparator members i8. The transverse separator members II aresubstantially vertically disposed and receive the longitudinal separatormember 8 in such a manner that it may move from a substantially verticalposition toward an angularly inclined position.

The longitudinal separator member 8 is preferably provided with aplurality of longitudinally spaced substantially vertically disposedslots l4 adapted to receive the portion of the transverse members l8between lower apertured portions l8 and upper cut-out or aperturedportions i8. The

longitudinal separator member 8 is provided preferably below the slotsI4 with locking tabs 28 adapted to project into the apertured portionsl8 of the transverse separator members I8 to maintain the longitudinaland transverse separator members in the assembled relation.

The slots i4 formed in the longitudinal separator member 8 arepreferably of such a shape that the transverse separator members II aremaintained in the substantially vertical position. However, thetransverse members are free to osciliate about substantially verticalaxes intermediate the length of the longitudinal separator member 8 tomove out of substantially right angle positions as illustrated in theplan view, Fig. 4, to acute angle positions relative to the longitudinalseparator member 8 as illustrated in Fig. 6.

The apertured or cut-out portions i8 of the transverse separator membersl8 are provided with preferably angularly inclined edge portions 22which engage the upper marginal portions of the vertically disposedslots i4 in the longitudinal separator member 8 to limit the angularposition to which the longitudinal separator member 8 may move from thesubstantially vertical position.

The transverse separator members II are preferably provided withgenerally horizontally extending slots 24 adapted to receive edgeportions 28 and 21 of oppositely directed longitudinally movableactuating bars or members 28 and 88 respectively to maintain theoppositely directed bars 28 and 88 in assembled relation relative to thegrid structure. The transverse members i8 are also formed with generallyvertically disposed edge portions 82 adapted to be received withinionthe oppositely directed bars 28 and 88 respectively.

The bars or members 28 and" are provided with apertured portions orslots 88 and 48 respectively toreceive generally upstanding projections42 and 44 respectively carried by the longitudinally extending separatormember 8. The portions 42 and 44 are preferably formed with contouredsegments 48 adapted to be engaged by suitable cammlng portions 48 formedin the slots 88 and 48 of the oppositely directedbars or members 28 and88 to exert a transversely directed'camming force to move thelongitudinal separator member 8 from a substantially vertical positiontowards an angularly inclined position as the bars 28 and" are movedrelative to each other.

The actuating members 28 and 88 are provided with cooperatingupstanding'projections 88 and 82 respectively having apertures definingoppositely directed cammlng surfaces 84 and 88 respectively. A suitablekey or actuating member 88 may be inserted in the apertures of theupstanding projections to engage the oppositely directed cammlng surface84 and 88 in such a manner that as the key '88 is turned or movedangularly in the apertures by any suitable implement such: for exampleas a handle member 88, the projections 88 and 82 and with them theoppositely directed bars 28 and 88 will be moved in opposite directions.

It will be observed that the space between the horizontally extendingnotches 24 and the generally vertically disposed edge portions 82 of thetransverse members l8 correspond substantially with the distance betweenthe edge portions 28 and 21 and the inner wall of the notches 84 and 88of the actuating bars 28 and 88 respectively. It thus appears that whenthe actuating bars 28 and 88 are assembled with reference to thelongitudinal and transverse separator members the edge portions 82 andthe upper wall of the horizontally extending apertures 24 of thetransverse members i8 prevent transverse movement of the jactuating bars28 and 88 relative to the grid structure.- The key or actuating member88 prevents the longitudinally movable bars 28 and 88 from movingangularly upwardly relative to each other or rising vertically withreference to the grid structure. The grid structure is thus securelymaintained in the assembled relation.

The operation of this device is as follows; Assume that the gridstructure 2 is positioned in a pan member 4 as illustrated in Figs. 1,2, 4 and 5, and that a liquid has been frozen within the compartments'8to form ice blocks. To release the ice blocks the handle 88 is actuatedby elevating it with reference to the grid and pan members. Movement ofthe handle 88 is transmitted through the key or actuating member 58 andthe oppositely directed cammlng portions 84- and 88 of the projections88 and 82 carried by the oppositely directed bars 28 and 88 to move saidbars in opposite directions. Movement of the actuating members 28 and 88relative to the longitudinal separator member 8 results in a movement ofthe cammlng portions 48 formed in the apertured portions 88 and 48 withreference to the cam-' ming portion 48 formed in the upstandingprogitudinally spaced notches 84 and 88 formed in tudinal separatormember 8 to move it transversely orthe grid. In view or-the fact thatthe lower portion the longitudinal member is maintained againsttransverse movement by the locking tabs 20 which project into theapertures ii of the transverse members l0. the lon itudinal separatormember 8 is forced to move from the substantially vertical positiontoward an angularly inclined position.

Relative movement between the bars 28 and 30 operates through thenotches 34 and 36 formed in said actuating bars to exert alongitudinally directed force on edge portions defining the horizontallyextending slots 24 of the transverse separator members 10. The edgeportions defining the generally vertically extending slots l4 of thelongitudinal separator member l0 restrain the transverse members l0 frommoving longitudinally relative to the grid. A force is thus exerted oneach of the transverse members ill to move them angularly about asubstantially Vertical axis while maintaining them in the substantiallyvertical position as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 which show the gridstructure in the actuated or ice releasing position.

It will be noted that the notches 34 and 36 of the actuating bars ormembers 28 and 30 are slots 34 or the slots 36 of the oppositelydirected actuating bars 28 or 30 respectively.

The slots 34 and 36 of the actuating bars 28 and 30 may be equallyspaced to actuate all of the transverse separator members simultaneouslyor may be unequally spaced to successively actuate the transverseseparator members. The camming portions 48 of the oppositely directedactuating bars 28 and 30.may be so positioned as to move thelongitudinal separator member 8 from the substantially vertical positiontowards an angular position simultaneously with the actuation of thetransverse separator members l0 or may be positioned to actuate iteither before or after the transverse separator members are actuated.One of the camming portions 48 may be oilset with reference to the otherto move one'end of the longitudinal member towards the angular positionbefore the other end is so moved to give a progression of power andreduce the force required to actuate the grid structure to release ice.

I claim:

1. An ice tray grid comprising a plurality of substantially verticallydisposed transversely extending separator members, a longitudinalseparator member interlocked with the transverse separator members andmovable angularly on the transverse separator members, a pair ofoppositely movable bars extending in opposite directions from a pointintermediate the length of the grid, cam and locking means between saidbars and the longitudinal and transverse separator members wherebymovement of the bars in opposite directions moves the longitudinalseparator member angularly about a horizontal axis and moves each of thetransverse separator members angularly about a vertical axisintermediate the length of each orsaid transverse members, and manuallyoperable means to move said bars in opposite directions.

2. An ice tray comprising a plurality of transversely extendingseparator members, a normally I 3 vertically disposed longitudinalseparator member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced upstandingcam portions formed adjacent its upper edge, a pair of oppositelydirected bars positioned to overlie'the longitudinal separator 1 memberand each including apertured portions having confronting walls to engagesaid cam portions and confine the longitudinal separator member tolimited angular movement, and manually operable means to actuate saidbars to move the longitudinal separator from a, substantially verticalposition towards an angular position and to move the transverseseparator members about substantially vertical axes to release ice.

3. An ice tray grid comprising a plurality of substantially verticallydisposed transversely extending separator members, a longitudinalseparator member mounted on the transverse separator members and movablefrom a substantially vertical normal ice forming position to anangularly inclined ice releasing position, and means comprisingoppositely directed longitudinally extending bars associated with thelongitudinal member and interlocked with the transverse members wherebymovement of the bars in opposite directions moves the longitudinalseparator member angularly and oscillates the transverse members aboutsubstantially vertically extending axes to release ice.

4. An ice tray grid comprising a plurality of substantially verticallydisposed transversely extending grid members, a longitudinally extendinggrid member mounted on the transverse members, means comprising a pairof oppositely directed overlapping bars associated with the iongitudinaland transverse members whereby the longitudinal separator member may bemoved from a substantially vertical position toward an angular positionand the transverse members may be rotated about substantially verticalaxes intermediate their length to release ice, and

manually operable means connected to the overlapping portions of saidbars to move the bars in opposite directions.

5. An ice tray grid comprising a longitudinal separator member having aplurality of spaced camming portions formed adjacent its upper edge, aplurality of oppositely directed bars having contoured aperturedportions engaging said camming portions of the longitudinal separatormember, and means to move said bars longitudinally in oppositedirections to move the longitudinal separator member from asubstantially vertical to an angularly inclined position to release ice.

6. An ice tray grid comprising a, plurality of vertically disposedtransversely extending separator members, a longitudinal separatormember mounted on the transverse members and movable from asubstantially vertical position to an angularly inclined position, aplurality of longitudinally directed oppositely movable bars associatedwith the longitudinal and transverse members and having overlappingsegments, means engaging said overlapping segments to move the bars inopposite directions, nd 00- operating means between the oppositelymovable bars and the longitudinal and transverse memdiate theirlengthand moves the longitudinal separator member from a substantiallyvertical toward an angular position to release ice.

7. An ice tray comprising a plurality or transhavingoverlapping sectionsand notched portions interlocking with the notched portions iormedadjacent the upper edges oi the transverse separator members, andmanually operable means operably connected to said overlapping sectionsto move said bars in opposite directions to move said longitudinalseparator member and said transverse members to release ice thereirom.

8. An ice tray grid comprising a plurality of substantially verticallydisposed transversely extending separator members, a longitudinalseparator member having spaced cumming portions mounted on thetransverse members and moviable thereon from a substantially verticalposition to an angularly inclined position, a plurality oi lonitudinally extending oppositely directed I aaaaaao adjacent the upperedge oi the longitudinal separ'ator and manually operable means engagingsaid overlapping segments to move said actuating bars in oppositedirections to move the longitudinal separator irom a substantlallyvertical position towards an angularly inclined position and to move thetransverse separator members about substantially vertical axes torelease ice.

10. An ice tray grid comprising a plurality oi generally transverselyextending substantially vertically disposed separator members havingapertures iormed adjacent their lower edges and compoimd slots iormedadjacent their upper edges, a generally longitudinally extendingseparator member hingedly connected to the transverse separator membersin such a manner that it is movable irom a normal substantially verticalice iorming position towards an angularly inclined position to releaseice, a pair oi oppositely'movable bars positioned to overlie thelongitudinal separator member and extending in opbars associated withthe longitudinal and transspaced notched portions iormed in edgeportions oi the oppositely directed bars and engaging the transversemembers whereby movement or the bars in opposite directions moves thetransverse members angularly about substantially vertical axesintermediate their length and moves the longitudinal separator memberfrom a substantially vertical toward an angularly inclined position torelease ice.

9. An ice tray comprising a plurality oi transversely extendingseparator members having apertures iormed adjacent their lower edges andspaced notched portion iormed adjacent their upper edges, a normallyvertically disposed longitudinal separator member having a plurality ofspaced substantially vertically disposed slots for the reception oi thetransverse members and a plurality oi longitudinally spaced cam portionsiormed adjacent its upper edge. a pair or actuating bars extending inopposite directions irom a point intermediate the length of the tray andhaving overlapping segments, each or the bars having notched portions toreceive the notched portions iormed adjacent the upper edges 0! thetransverse separator members, each oi said bars having aperturesincluding cam defining portions engaging the spaced cam portions iormedposite directions irom a point intermediate the length oi the grid,cooperating cam means between the longitudinal separator member and eachoi said bars whereby the longitudinal separator member may be moved iromsaid normal substantially vertical ice forming position towards anangularly inclined position to release ice, and manually operable meansto move said bars in opposite directions.

11. An ice tray grid comprising a plurality oi generally transverselyextending substantially vertically disposed separator members havingapertures iormed adjacent their lower edges and compound slots iormedadjacent their upper edges, a generally longitudinally extendingseparator member hingedly connected to the transverse separator membersin such a manner that it is movable from a normal substantially verticalice forming position towards an angularly inclined position and thetransverse separator members are movable angularly relative to thelongitudinal member about substantially vertically extending axes torelease ice, 0, pair of oppositely movable bars positioned to overliethe longitudinal separator member and extending in opposite directionsirom a point intermediate the length oithe grid, cooperating cam meansbetween the longitudinal separator member and each oi said bars wherebythe longitudinal separator member may be moved irom said normalsubstantially vertical ice forming position toward an angularly inclinedposition, cooperating motion transmitting means between the transverseseparator members and said bars whereby the transverse separator membersmay be moved angularly about substantially vertical axes intermediatetheir length to release ice, and manually operable means to move saidbars in opposite directions.

CLIFFORD R. CARNEY.

